Date ideas in Alice Springs
19 date ideas around Alice Springs, from a sunrise balloon flight and sunset on Anzac Hill to dusk at Simpsons Gap, the Desert Park by night and new desert art at Desert Mob. Swipe through them above, or browse every one below. Each was checked on the place's own website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs. 3 are free.
Every date idea in Alice Springs, by kind
19
ideas
3
free
5
kinds
Sep 2026
last checked
Views and climbs: 7 date ideas in Alice Springs
ALICE SPRINGS
Breakfast at the Bean Tree, then up Tharrarletneme
Olive Pink Botanic Garden grows more than 600 Central Australian plants, with rock-wallabies and euros living among them. Climb the Hill Walk up Tharrarletneme (Annie Meyers Hill) for views over town to the MacDonnell Ranges, then eat bush-inspired breakfast or lunch at the Bean Tree Cafe inside the garden.
When Garden open every day 8am to 6pm (closed Good Friday, Christmas and New Year's Day); cafe every day 8am to 2:30pm, closed public holidays. Allow 35 minutes for the hill walk
Cost No entry fee listed (donations welcome); cafe dishes mostly $19.90 to $32.90
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ALICE SPRINGS
A sunrise balloon flight over the outback
Float silently over the desert as first light hits the MacDonnell Ranges, looking out for red kangaroos below, then help pack the balloon (or don't) and toast the landing with sparkling wine and light refreshments. Operating out of Alice Springs since 1986.
When Every day, weather permitting; pick-up about an hour before first light, allow up to 4 hours
Cost 30-minute flight $380 each; 60-minute flight $450 each (April 2026 to March 2027 prices); includes transfers
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The memorial on top of Anzac Hill, late afternoon. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Sunset from the top of Anzac Hill
The lookout on Anzac Hill in the middle of town has a 360-degree view over Alice Springs, the MacDonnell Ranges and the desert beyond, with memorials to Australians who served. Drive or walk up and watch the ranges turn orange, purple and red.
When Any day; best at sunrise or sunset
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The Post and Telegraph Office at the Telegraph Station. Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
STUART
Walk the Todd River path to the Telegraph Station
Follow the sealed Riverside Path along the Todd River four kilometres north to the Telegraph Station, the birthplace of Alice Springs and a link on the 1871 Overland Telegraph Line. Take the guided tour of the heritage precinct, then picnic on the shady lawns.
When Precinct every day 8am to 4pm, guided tours 9:30am and 11:30am (March to November); reserve open 8am to 9pm. Closed Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
Cost $16.50 each for the precinct, guided tour included (card only); the reserve itself is free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The waterhole and red cliffs at Simpsons Gap. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
WEST MACDONNELL RANGES
Dusk at Simpsons Gap, watching for rock-wallabies
Eighteen kilometres west of town in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Simpsons Gap has towering red cliffs and a permanent waterhole. Walk in at dusk, when black-footed rock-wallabies may appear along the track, or take one of the short walks past ancient ghost gums and views of the range.
When Any day
Cost Free for NT residents; interstate and overseas visitors need an NT Parks Visitor Pass
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Inside Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye). Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Walk into Standley Chasm
An easy 20-minute return walk along a creek bed leads into the chasm, where red rock walls rise up to 80 metres. The chasm is sacred to the Arrernte and owned and run by the local Arrernte community; finish with coffee under the gums at the Chasm Cafe.
When Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm (last entry 4:30pm); Sunday 8am to 2pm (last entry 1:30pm). About 40 minutes' drive west of town
Cost Entry fee applies; prices on the booking page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Red rock and a native pine in Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park. Photo: andrea castelli from Italy · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
YEPERENYE / EMILY AND JESSIE GAPS NATURE PARK
Emily and Jessie Gaps, the caterpillar dreaming
Ten kilometres east of town, two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are sacred sites to the Eastern Arrernte, part of the caterpillar dreaming story of how the land around Alice Springs was formed, with a large rock painting of the dreaming at Emily Gap. Walk the short tracks into both gaps and bring a picnic.
When Any day
Cost No entry fee listed; interstate and overseas visitors may need an NT Parks Visitor Pass
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
For couples: 5 date ideas in Alice Springs
Araluen Arts Centre, where Desert Mob hangs. Photo: Dee Lersch · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ARALUEN
See, and maybe buy, new desert art at Desert Mob
Desert Mob fills Araluen with more than 150 new works by artists from 35 art centres in some of Australia's most remote Aboriginal communities: painting, ceramics, weaving, sculpture, punu and wood carving. Every work is for sale, bought ethically through the art centres.
When Every day 10am to 4pm, until Sunday 25 October 2026
Cost $8 adult, $6 concession; free for NT residents
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
CONNELLAN
Barbecue dinner and stargazing at Earth Sanctuary
Fifteen minutes south of town, start with a drink on an ancient sand dune as the sun sets over the East MacDonnell Ranges, sit down to a barbecue dinner with dessert, then an astronomer leads you through the southern sky with a laser pointer and deep-sky telescopes.
When On set nights; dates on the booking calendar. 2.5 hours; weather dependent
Cost Ticketed; prices on the booking calendar. When checked (September 2026) a winter sale had it at $141.31 each including fees, down from $175 before fees; star tour only (1.5 hours) $60.11
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ALICE SPRINGS
Sunset with the Kangaroo Dundee mob
A guided sunset walk through Chris 'Brolga' Barns' 188-acre sanctuary for rescued kangaroos, timed for late afternoon when they wake. It's the sanctuary from the BBC and Nat Geo series Kangaroo Dundee, and you may get to hold a baby kangaroo.
When Public tours Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, late afternoon; 2.5 to 3 hours with bus pick-up. Closed every December, January and February, and some set weeks listed on the page
Cost $155 each, bus transfers included
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The path at the Desert Park's nocturnal tour meeting point. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Spotlight bilbies on the Desert Park nocturnal tour
Follow a guide into the Mulga Walk, a large predator-proof enclosure in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges, to see endangered desert animals such as bilbies, echidnas and mala going about their night.
When April to October: Monday to Friday 7:30pm. November to March: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8pm. About 45 minutes; bookings essential
Cost Ticketed; prices on the Desert Park website
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Alice Springs Desert Park visitor centre. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Free-flying birds and desert trails at the Desert Park
Seven kilometres from town, walk the Desert Park from dry riverbeds to dense woodlands, see rare and endangered animals in the Nocturnal House and watch the free-flying bird show in the Nature Theatre, then stop for light refreshments at the park cafe.
When Every day 7:30am to 6pm (last entry 4:30pm); bird shows 10:30am and 3pm. Closed 25 December
Cost Ticketed; prices on the Desert Park website
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Food and drink: 3 date ideas in Alice Springs
Stalls along the Todd Mall on market day. Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Sunday morning at the Todd Mall Market
A long-running, not-for-profit outdoor market in the heart of town, with stalls selling food, art, crafts, jewellery, honey, books and more. Have something to eat, chat with the stallholders and wander the mall's shops between stalls. Check the home page for where it is set up: during the mall's upgrade it moved to the Town Council lawns.
When About two Sundays a month from March to December, 9am to 1pm; dates on the Market Days page
Cost Free to wander; pay as you go at each stall
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ROSS
Fresh beer at the Alice Springs Brewpub
The town's own brewery, which got past freight costs, desert water and liquor rules to open its brewpub in early 2019. Drink its beers on tap with a pizza, or book the weekly brewery tour that ends with a tasting.
When Mon to Wed 3pm to 9pm, Thu 3pm to 10pm, Fri and Sat noon to 10pm, Sun noon to 9pm. Trivia on Thursdays; live music on Sundays
Cost Pay as you go; Thursday $16 pizza special. Brewery tour by enquiry, bookings essential
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, home of Hanuman. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
A banquet at Hanuman
Hanuman, which also has a restaurant in Darwin, cooks Thai, Indian and Nonya dishes. Share its signature Hanuman oysters with lemongrass and ginger, or hand the ordering over with one of three set banquets.
When Dinner every night 6pm to 10pm; lunch Wednesday to Friday noon to 2:30pm. Bookings taken online
Cost Banquets $75, $85 or $95 each; meat and seafood dishes $33.50 to $44.50, vegetarian from $23.50 (dinner menu when checked)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Shows and music: 3 date ideas in Alice Springs
Lasseters, home of the Juicy Rump deck. Photo: DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ALICE SPRINGS
Friday night bands on the Juicy Rump deck
The big covered deck and beer garden at Lasseters look out to the MacDonnell Ranges, and local and touring acts play there on Friday and Saturday nights. Eat from the grill or the smoker menu before the music starts.
When Live music from 7pm Fridays and Saturdays; open until 3am those nights, kitchen until 9:30pm
Cost Pay as you go; menus on the venue page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ARALUEN
Monday night at the Araluen Arthouse Cinema
Every Monday night Araluen Arts Centre screens a different film: local and international arthouse features, documentaries and some mainstream titles.
When Mondays at 7pm, March to the end of November (not public holidays)
Cost Ticketed; prices on each film's page ($17 adult when checked, September 2026)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ARALUEN
A touring show at the Araluen theatre
Araluen Arts Centre's theatre brings touring drama, dance, comedy and music to Alice Springs. Have a pre-show drink and nibbles at the foyer bar.
When Show dates on the What's On page
Cost Ticketed; prices on each show's page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Make something: 1 date ideas in Alice Springs
ALICE SPRINGS
Make art with Arrernte artists Marie Ryder and Kevin Bird
In a 90-minute workshop under the Blackman Pavilion in Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Aboriginal artists Marie Ryder and Kevin Bird share the tradition of Aboriginal art and their own stories, give demonstrations, then help you make some art of your own to take home as a memento.
When Several days a week; session dates and times on the booking page
Cost $100 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Can't decide? Let the deck pick your Alice Springs date
Stuck for date night ideas, or for things to do together at the weekend? Instead of scrolling lists, let the deck deal you one date idea at a time. Swipe right on the ones you like, left on the ones you don't, and within a few minutes you have a shortlist to choose from, or just take the first one you both said yes to.
How it works
Swipe to decide. Each card is one date: what to do, where it is, when it's on and what it costs. Swipe right (or tap Save) to keep it, left (or Skip) to see the next.
Share it with your date. Share sends a link that opens the deck on the same card, so the other person can say yes too.
Keep the ones you like. Saved ideas stay under the deck and on the map. Sign in and they're kept in My Places on every device.
Filter by the kind of date. Food and drink, shows and music, on the water, views and climbs, making something together, or ideas for couples.
Where the date ideas come from
Every idea of ours names a real place and was checked on its official website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs, with a link to that website and the date it was checked. Ideas with an end date leave the deck once they finish. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are credited on each card. Mixed in are bookable tours and experiences, clearly marked, with today's prices.
Questions
Can it pick a date for us?
Yes. Swipe until one appeals, or save a few and choose between them. For a single answer, the date wheel picks one at random.
Is it free?
Yes. Many of the ideas are free too: walks, lookouts, galleries, markets and swims.
Do we need an account?
No. Saves stay in your browser; sign in only if you want them on other devices.
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Every idea links to the place’s own website and was checked there on the date shown; times and prices change, so check before you go. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.